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Topic Review (Newest First)

04-06-2007 09:55 AM

BigDave

Definitely go to the "deep south" anytime the weather will allow. The scenery is spectacular and there are endless wading flats.

There is hardly any grass at all down there. The current rips through the maze of cays on tide changes which might explain it.

The creeks are awesome and a great backup plan if it is too rough.

By the end of the week I had pretty much settled on a #4 gotcha with a long wing of "shrimp" craft fur for just about everything.

There are sharks and big cudas everywhere so be prepared. At one point I had a hooked bonefish being chased by a 5 foot cuda being chased by an 80# lemon shark - all right in front of me! The cuda won out on that deal but I got a few good jumps out of him

04-06-2007 02:08 AM

bonehead

Pete,

Yup, on the flies mentioned above in about 5 feet of water... sight fishing. My dad picked up another one about the same size in only 2 feet of water. Same fly pattern. Fished with Big Charlie in damn near 20 knots of breeze but he still put us on fish. Needed 9-weights to handle the flies, wind... and fish. Strong hooks and plenty of backing help.

I found these big girls to be very aggressive to the fly, often chasing it for quite a ways. This particular fish floated up to take the fly 3 times, but the first two strip-strikes pulled the hook. On the 3rd try I hesitated slightly and stripped slow but hard, and came up tight.

Rule #1: strip hard, then raise the rod.

Of course, we were fishing specifically for trophy fish. I can't remember how many 6-8 pound fish we passed over after Charlie said, "Too small, man." Mind you, that was after warming up on whatever fished passed by on the first day, just to get into our game, but after that is was all business.

Bonehead
________________________________

Fly Fish: 'flI-"fi-sh, int. v.: to hunt fish with string.

03-20-2007 12:06 PM

Adrian

I fished from Glatos with Big Dave back in December and bigger flies were the order of the day.

Like Pete said, having some brighter colors to offer can make a difference. One of my go-to patterns was a size 2 clouser with flourescent pink bucktail wing - overall length about 2.5 inches!

Dave did very well with a modified gotcha using a long tan rabbit strip wing.

On really skinny water/open flats situations, a couple of larger weightless patterns could be useful.

Glatos was very nice - not a "de-lux" destination but clean, comfortable and plenty to eat if you're hungry.

If the wind isn't too bad, you will probably fish the Southern flats - Jewfish cays, Water Cay etc. Some of the most stunning open white sand flats I've ever seen and plenty of good sized fish. Plenty of big barracuda around so a spare rod rigged with wire leader is worth having handy.

On very windy days, you can still find good fishing in the nearby creeks. Unlike the mangrove creek systems in other locations, these seemed to have mosty good bottoms for wading, so you're not stuck in the boat if you feel like stretching your legs - or need chase a big bone through the mangroves

03-20-2007 04:47 AM

petevicar

Hey Darbs
I was fishing Andros last month (February). It seemed that flies with alittlemore colour were the order of the day. I caught most of my fish with a Christmas Island special. I also used it with good results in Acklins last week and in Cuba in December.
It has become my goto fly for bones on white sandy bottom.

Pete

Hey bonehead

That is a great fish!!!
Do you have details of how it was caught?

Pete

03-19-2007 11:29 AM

bonehead

Andros Pic...

Thought I'd throw this out there if you're heading to Andros... they're out there.

Oh, yeah... on a big, rangy Clouser.
________________________________

Fly Fish: 'flI-"fi-sh, int. v.: to hunt fish with string.

03-19-2007 11:07 AM

chainlynx

Bonefish flies for Andros

Light Brown Shrimp patterns 4's with lead eyes. (depending on water depth) have worked really well for me on Andros. The bigger fish (8lbs +) seemed to be more agressive towards them. Try tying some with the eyes more to the middle of the hook and definately some sili legs. Also pick up some Spawning Shrimp from Orvis. Good luck!

Many thanks for the info gents I will get the tying vice out and get to work

Tight lines

Darbs

03-18-2007 02:13 PM

bonehead

Andros Flies...

Hi,

Depending on the size fish your going for and depth water, I'd bring along some larger "Gotcha Clouser" with heavy eyes. When I fished there we were going for trophy fish in 3-6 feet of water, so we used #2 Clousers with lead eyes to get down quick. The bigger hooks were for the bigger fish, but also so they wouldn't straighten out. (We straightened two #4 Mustad 34007's and a #2 34007 on smaller fish.) I guess I'm saying hook choice is important. I used Mustad Signature Big Game Light hooks for the bigger fish and had no problem, even with 16# tippet and drags pretty much cranked.

Basic story, even big, tough fish will fall for a Tan & White Clouser with gold flash and Gotcha Pink head. Tie these in several sizes with various weighted eyes to cover your bases.

Lastly, make sure you have some flies that are much larger and much smaller than you think you need.

Good luck,
Bonehead

(Gotcha Clousers Below)

03-18-2007 08:22 AM

JusBones

1st, call the lodge/guide. 2nd, although I only fished Andros 3x, I did not encounter much turtle grass, with that said, have some weed guard flys.
Gotchas and various different take-offs of this famous fly should do the trick.
If you can, have a 2nd rod ready with a crab pattern. Check with the lodge as to size of eyes......deep water......or in other words.....small, med, or large eyes.
Any reputable shop should be helpful once you have this info. Recommend you use one of this sites sponsers.

03-16-2007 05:46 PM

Darbs

Advice on flies for Andros

In April I am going to Andros and staying at Glatos Bonefish Lodge.
Can anyone give me advice on the best flies to use and the type of flats the guide will take us to fish on.
Also any other tips or information would be helpful.